AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

THE NEW PROGRAMMES ST. JAMES THEATRE One of the chief points of interest in " Talking Feet," which will be shown at the St. James Theatre to-day, is that among the cast are two artists who are personally known to many in Dunedin, and whose visits are still remembered by many more. They are the celebrated pianist, Mark Hambourg, and the popular Scottish singer, William Heughan. " Talking Feet" lias been well received in the North Island, and the St. James Theatre is to have the South Island premiere. The film tells the story of a little girl and her friends raising money to save their local hospital from closing down, and it will introduce a number of new and old favourites, including Hazel Ascot, known the world over as the " Little Sunbeam." Among the supporting players are such renowned stars as Davy Burnaby, Enid Stamp-Taylor, John Stuart, Jack Barty, and Kenneth Kove. Mark Hambourg, who toured New Zealand some years ago, presents a mini-piano ensemble featuring himself and 1£ clever juveniles. William Heughan, the famous Scottish baritone, is also well known to New Zealanders. and his number, " The Meeting of the Clan," in which he is supported by the Scottish Kilties Band, is said to be magnificent in music and voice and picture perfect. The Three Cockney Comedians are responsible for much wit, humour, and comedy, and the Eight Dancy Boys and the Dagenham Girl Pipers are champions at their art. Novelty is added by the clever work of the band of the Royal Marines, who led the procession of " Sailor Heroes " of the H.M.S. Ajax and H.M.S. ■ Exeter In London. Box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs'. REGENT THEATRE " Juarez," the film version of an unusual historical episode which occurred in the 1860's. will have its first local showing at the Regent Theatre to-day. It is the pathetic story of the ill-fated Maximilian von Hapsburg, brother of Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria. Louis Napoleon of France induced Maximilian to become the puppet Emperor of Mexico in order that he could get complete control of that country. Weak and undecided in some re-

spects, Maximilian was yet a man of very high ideals, sincere and determined to perform what he considered his duty, only accepting the " phantom crown " of Mexico because he believed the people wanted him there, the packed vote cast for him being the result of French force and superior arms. Later, when the United States intervened and ordered Napoleon to withdraw his troops from Mexico, the frightened Frenchman obeys; Maximilian is deserted, betrayed, tried and executed by Juarez, the patriot. The role of Maximilian is played with subtlety and perception bv Brian Aherne, that of Juarez by Paul Muni, who shows in his portrayal all his usual power and his unexampled genius of personalisation, in placing before us this man of the people, the peon, slow, quiet—though passionate at times—and adamant in his purpose to rid Mexico of the foreign element. Bette Davis is crowned again with the triumph of her interpretation of Charlotte or Carlotta, wife and Empress of Maximilian, rising to great heights in her one really dramatic scene. Claude Rains gives a fine portrayal of the weak and mischievous Napoleon 111. John Garfield is forceful and impressive as Porfirio Diaz, lieutenant of Juarez, imprisoned by Maximilian, who is set free by him to take a message to Juarez, asking him to become prime minister of Mexico, who, of course, refuses, as nothing less than President is his aim. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. OCTAGON THEATRE " Rebecca,'' Alfred Hitchcock's masterly adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's powerful novel, will commence the fourth week of its Dunedin season at the Octagon Theatre to-day. Few films have caused such a sensation as this thrilling drama of the domination of a whole household by the spirit of a dead woman. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine both give brilliant performances in the leading roles, while Judith Anderson is outstanding as the housekeeper of Manderjey, rambling mansion of the de Winters. Such wellknown names as George Sanders, Nigel Bruce, C. Aubrey Smith, and Reginald Denny are included in the list of characters. The story of " Rebecca " concerns a voung and unsophisticated girl who marries the wealthy and socially-promin-ent Maxim de Winter, only to find that her life is being dominated by the past of her husband's first wife, a beautiful woman who fascinated everyone. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE An exciting film of murder and mystery, " The Spider," heads the current doublefeature programme at the Grand Theatre, where " Free, Blonde, and 21," is also being shown. Derrick de Marney and Diana Churchill head the cast, which also includes such capable players as Jean Gillie. Cecil Parker, and Frank Cellier. De Marney is a detective who is assisted by his pretty wife in tracking down a mysterious crook who has brought off many successful bank and jewel robberies. The detective receives information that the " Spider " is connected with a theatrical company, and his wife takes a position as secretary to it in an endeavour to trace the leader. Adventures come thick and fast for the detective and his wife before the criminal is laid low. " Free. Blonde, and 21," is an entertaining film that blends very effectively comedy and drama in a story that concerns the lives of two girls in a women's hotel, and their adventures when they become involved in a murder. Lynn Bari and Henry Wilcoxson are featured. The box plans arc at the theatre and Begg's. STATE THEATRE An interesting sidelight on recent international affairs turned up on the 20th Century-Fox set during the filming of Darryl F. Zanuck's production of " Drums Along the Mohawk," the new picture at the State Theatre. The same guns with which the Ethiopians tried to fight off the Italian invasion were used in " Drums Along the Mohawk," which has an American Revolutionary background, and they fitted the period perfectly. The guns, complete with ramrod, are all eighteenth century flintlock muskets! The Ethiopians attempted to fight the modern, motorised battalions of Italy with guns of the same type used by the American colonists in 1776. When the Ethiopian campaign was ended, a 20th Century-Fox representative in Africa bought up 100 of these . uskets for film props and shipped them to the studio. They see plenty of realistic action again in " Drums Along the Mohawk," this time against the savage Iroquois who forced the Mohawk Valley farmers to a last stand in their thrilling battle to wrest the.frontier from the wilderness. Filmed in Technicolor under the direction of John Ford, " Drums Along the Mohawk" is a photographic masterpiece. Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda are starred. Box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. EMPIRE THEATRE "McCarthy sings" is the best news in connection with Universal's " Charlie McCarthy, Detective," starring McCarthy and Bergen with Mortimer Snerd, and which comes to the Empire Theatre today. McCarthy breaks into song in his role as a night club entertainer (with Bergen and Snerd) rendering a ditty, "I'm Charlie McCarthy. Detective," and then goes on to prove his deducting and detecting abilities in a first-class murder mystery which breaks about his wooden ears. Bergen and his precocious family of assorted lumber are featured and starred with a cast which includes Robert Cummings, Constance Moore, John Sutton, Louis Calhern, Edgar Kennedy. Samuel S. Hinds, and Warren Hymer. " Charlie McCarthy, Detective," is a mystery play with high comedy relief by Bergen and his troupe. It was produced and directed by Frank Tuttle from an original by Robertson White and Darrell Ware. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE Demonstrating the full dramatic force of motion picture entertainment, Universal's " Zanzibar" will come to the Strand Theatre to-day. For sheer " thrills " and wicrd mystery, this picture sets an impressive high which will prove a treat for those who like rugged and lusty adventure. Lola Lane gives one of her best performances as the girl explorer, and James Craig is a new challenger for romantic honours as the American adventurer who seeks danger and finds it in large

doses. The story traces Miss Lane's efforts to find a sacred skull which has been ordered returned to its rightful native tribe in German East Africa by a provision in the Versailles Treaty. But her ship is wrecked during a spectacular storm. Exciting scenes show battles with natives, during which wild beasts are turned against angry savages, and escape of the whites at the climax. " Blondie " is the support. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE " Fifth Avenue Girl," an entertaining comedv. is the current attraction at the Mayfair Theatre. Walter Connolly and Ginger Rogers have the leading roles in a story of a millionaire who grows tired of his family ignoring him and hires a young girl to pose as a gold-digger in an endeavour to bring his family to heel. The outcome of this is a series of hilarious incidents, in which Miss Rogers displays a fine sense of comedy. The second picture is " Legion of Lost Flyers," an exciting story of the air. featuring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.